Refrigerating coil system



June 4, 1929. N. H. GAY

REFRIGERATING COIL SYSTEM Filed May 18. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Q I I June 4, 1929. v N. H. GAY

A REFRIGERATING COIL SYSTEM Filed May 18, 192*] 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L Ll qilwllrllllllifilul 1:111 n Patented June 4, 1929.

UNITED. STATES nonmm n'. GAY, OFLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

nnrnmnaarme coiL SYSTEM.

\ Application filed May 18,

This invention relates to improvements in refrigerating systems, and more particularly to the construction of the refrigerating coils and their associated connections.

It has heretofore been proposed to employ refrigerating systems in which headers were employed, to which were connected a ser1es of coils for taking the refrigerant liquid from the inlet header and passing it to the chamher to be cooled, and thereafterdischarging the gas formed by the evaporation of the liquid into the outlet header. It has also been proposed to provide a circulation of the refrigerant from an accumulator through a coil in the chamber to be cooled.

The present invention relates to improvements in such devices in which the coils are made of large internal section and inlet and outlet headers are provided in direct communication with these coils and with each other, so that a free flow of the refrigerant occurs from the inlet header through the coil to the outlet header, and back to the inlet header; further, the coils themselves are provided of simple U-shaped form, with substantially horizontal passes at top and bottom, so that there is substantially no obstruction to the flow, and the friction of the refrigerant in the coils itself is reduced to a minimum. The headers are of large size and a level ofliquid refrigerant is maintained at all times in the outlet header by the action of separating the gases and liquid refrigerant as such comes in from the several ".1 refrigerating coils.

By the provision of this free circulation of liquid refrigerant through the headers and coils, with a minimum of friction, the construction is simplified, the strength of the an various parts is increased, and the employment of subheaders is avoided: the reduction of friction is of value in reducing the necessity of a friction head to overcome the friction through the coils, and in particular an accumulator of large size is employed to connect the headers and is insulated so that substantially no heating from the exterior occurs therein, and the evaporation from the surface of the liquid refrigerant reduces the temperature of the refrigerant liquid in the accumulator so that its specific gravity is at a maximum, while on the contrary the refrigerant within the refrigerant coils is warmed from the chamber in which the coils are contained, and a part of this liquid're- 1927. Serial No. 192,242.

frigerant is converted to gas by evaporation, so that the contents of the respective refrigerating coils is at a minimum specific gravity by reason of the mixture of liquid and gas present therein, and by reason of the slightly higher temperature prevailing in the liquid refrigerant in these coils. The refrigerant in the coils is therefore more buoyant, and this difference in specific gravity is employed to effect the circulation through the coils and headers.

In these ways, a very simple and effective system is produced, of very simple construction but. of high efficiency; and with these and other objects in View as will appear in the course of the following specification and claims,'ther e is described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, one form of execution of the apparatus.

, 1Y1 these drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through the accumulator, the headers and brine tank of a system employed for manufacturing ice.-

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken at right angles to the showing of Fig. 1, through the brine tank and headers, showing the form of the. refrigerant coils.

In these drawings is illustrated a form of application of the system according to this invention, in which a liquid refrigerant is maintained in a vertical accumulator having large side branches which form the inlet and outlet headers for the refrigerating coils, and these coils themselves are formed of large diameter and for free flow so that the liquid 9 passes in circulation from the accumulator through the inlet header, the refrigerating coil, the outlet header and back to the accumulator. Any liquid refrigerant which is evaporated in the refrigerating coil passes upward in the respective coil and into the outlet header, in which and in the upper part of the accumulator it is thoroughly and clearly separatedfrom the liquid refrigerant, and is permitted to return to the compressor for recompression and condensation. A constant liquid level is therefore maintained in the coils and in the accumulator, and in place of providing a head of liquid above the refrigerating coils, the latter are made of large diameter so that the flow therethrough occurs without friction, and permits the free upward movement of the refrigerant gas formed thereinl In Fig. 1, the accumulator 10 is an insu-" lated stand pipe which has its lower end located in a pit 11 adjacent the tank 12. At

theaccumulator is provided a pipe 1 1 havtion.

ing a valve 15 for removing the oil trapped at the bottom of the accumulator. The normal liquid level thereby maintained in the accinnulator is at about the line -L -L, and agauge glass 16 is provided'on the exterior of the accumulator for reading this level. At its upper end, the accumulator is provided with the battle plates 17 for assistingin the separation of any remaining liquid from the refrigerant gas as it escapes to the pipe 18 which leads back to the compressor;

Projecting laterally from the accumulator just above the baflle plate 13 is the inlet header 19 which extends through the wall 20 of the brine. tank 12 and passes across this brine tank. A similar out-let header 21 is likewise connected to the side of the accumulator 10, at

about the determined liquid level for opera- The inlet header 19 and the outlet header 21 are each of very large diameter and permit a free flow of the liquid refrigerant with respect to the accumulator 10. A

plurality of refrigerating coils 22, 23, 24, 25.

are provided, four of these coils being shown at each partition ofthe brine tank 12 inthe particular illustration, all four being located substantially in a plane and forming a partition within the brine tank 12 to form the compartments within which the ice cans may be located- As shown in Fig. 2, the ends of these tubes are connected, preferably'by welding, to the respective headers, and pass from the header along the brine-tank to the opposite end thereof, then bent upwardly and fornia return passwhich leads back to the other header. The passes of the respective coils may be very nearly horizontal, but preferably have a slight upward slope from the inlet to the outlet header for ease in clearing the refrigerant gas. It will particularly be noted that these coils'are much larger'than in the usual refrigerating system, and provide a free flow for the refrigerant liquid from the inlet to the outlet header.

The refrigerant liquid coming from the condenser and the plant passes through the inlet pipe 30 down through the top of the outlet header 21 and passes in a loop coil.

31 which leads back to a riser pipe 32 leading to the three-way valve 33 from which it may pass. through a cold liquid pipe 34 for 3 other purposes, or may be led through the through the baffle plate 13 so that the cold l quid is led in. a gentle stream into the oil trap formed beneath this baffle 13 within the accumulator 10, and .in proportion as the refrigerant liquid above this bail'le is evaporated, more of the liquid passes upward around the edge of the baffle. The upper end of the downcomer 36 is opcn,-so that any gas formed in the downcomer is permitted free escape to the upper end of the accumulator 10,

The brine tank is provided with the usual deck 10 resting on the ]01sts 41, and may be disposed in anv suitable manner-for the rea K- vception of the ice cans and other purposes.

It will beunderstood that this brinetank may be provided with the usual circulating systems and supports for the respective coils 22, 23, 24, 25.

In operation, the operator permits the condensed liquid refrigerant from the pipe 30 to pass through-the cooling loop 31 and back to the expansion valve 33 and thence to enter the accumulator and pass downward in the downcomer pipe 36 to form a pool in the bottom of the accumulator 10. As a part of the gas escapes in the downcomer. pipe 36 and a further portion in the lower part of the accumulator 10, the oil still remaining in the refrigerantis chilled and settles to the bottom,- and the liquid level of refrigerant in the accumulator 10 is permitted to rise until it reaches the line L-L. into the inlet header 19 and into the respective refrigerating coils connected thereto, it rises in these coils, and since their exteriors are exposed to relatively higher temperatures,

erant within the respectiverefrigerant coil,

so that this mixture of, gas, foam and liquid into the accumulator 10. Most of the foam and liquid is separated'in the outlet header, and a further separation is effected by the As the liquid passes passes into the outlet heater 21 and thence baffle plate 17 at the upper end of the accumulater, so that substantially refrigerant gas free from any liquid returns to the compressor through the pipe 18. The low temperature prevailing within the outlet header 21 is likewise availed of to cool further portions of the incoming condensed liquid on its way to the expansion valve 33: while the liquid refrigerant merely re-passes below the level LL back into the accumulator and downward'and into the inlet header 19 again.

Since it is only necessary to make up the quantity of liquid which has evaporated in the refrigerating coils, it is'apparent that the downward flow through the downcomer 19 may be gentle and does not provoke any stirring or agitation of the oil in the trap beneath the baflie 13. From time to time, this limited to the specific illustration set forth, but that it may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1'. In a refrigerating system, an inlet header, an outlet header disposed substantially above said inlet header, a plurality of refrigerating coils connected to said headers, each of said coils being of relatively large internal section and being of U-shape so asgto afford free flow for the gaseous and liquid refrigerant therethrough between said headers, and means to separate gaseous and liquid refrigerant coming from the outlet header and to return the liquid refrigerant to the inlet header whereby a circulation of liquid refrigerant is established through said headers, coils and means by the difference in specific gravity between the liquid refrigerant in said means and the mixed gaseous and liquid refrigerant in said coils.

2. In a refrigerating system, an accumulator, an inlet header, an outlet header disposed substantially above said inlet header, said headers and accumulator being in free communication, and a plurality of refrigerating coils connected to said headers, each of said coils being of relatively large internal diameter and being of U-shape, whereby a free and substantially unobstructed circulation is afforded for said liquid refrigerant through said accumulator, headers and coils, and whereby such circulation is established by the difference in specific gravity ofthe liquid refrigerant in saidaccumulator and that of the gaseous and liquid refrigerant in said coils.

3. In a refrigerating system, a brine tank, a vert-ically'disposed accumulator located external to said brine tank and having inlet and outlet headers extending horizontally therefrom at different levels and passin into said brine tank, and a plurality of re 'rigerating coils located in respective vertical planes and joining said inlet and outlet headers, all of said coils being of large diameter to afford unobstructed flow to the refrigerant so that a direct circulation is established from the accumulator through the inlet header, a respective-refrigerating coil and the outlet header back to the accumulator.

4. In a refrigerating system, a vertically disposed accumulator having horizontally extending inlet and outlet headers communieating directly therewith, and a plurality of refrigerating coils connecting said inlet and outlet headers, so that a common liquid level may be established in said outlet header and accumulator for the free circulation of liquid eating directly therewith, a plurality of refrigerating coils connecting said inlet and outlet-headers, so that a liquid level may be established in said outlet header and accumulator for the free circulation of liquid through said accumulator, headers and coils, a liquid refrigerant supply pipe including a coil located in said outlet header,'a downcomer pipe located within said accumulator, and a connection including an expansion valve between said liquid refrigerant supply pipe and said downcomer above the liquid level in said accumulator.

6. In a refrigerating system, a vertically arranged accumulator having a battle near its bottom defining an oil trap chamber at the lower end thereof, a horizontal inlet header communicating for its whole area of internal sect-ion with said accumulator above the baflle, an outlet header communicating for its whole area of internal section with said accumulator ata point above said inlet header, a plurality of individual refrigerating coils connecting said headers, a downcomer pipe Within said accumulator and passing through said bafiie and extending above said outlet header, and a liquid supply line and expansion valve connected to said downcomer pipe at a point above said outlet header whereby a circuit of refrigerant liquid may be established in said headers and a coil and the accumulator above said bafiie.

7. In a refrigerating system, a refrigerating chamber, inlet and outlet headers located in said chamber at the same end thereof, a plurality of refrigerating coils of relatively large internal section connecting said headers and extending from one end of said chamber to the other and back with single passes in each direction, and an accumulator connecting said headers for free circulation therethrou gh, said accumulator having a gas withdrawing conduit connected thereto so that a free circulation of liquid refrigerant occurs from the accumulator through the inlet header, the said coils, and said outlet header back to the accumulator, while the evaporation of liquid refrigerant in a respective coil produces a mixture of liquid and gaseous refrigerant of lesser specific gravity than the liquid in the said accumulator whereby the free circulation .is established.

8. In a refrigerating system, a vertical accumulator having horizontal inlet and outlet headers secured thereto with the latter above the former and in free communication therewith, a baffle plate substantially partitioning said accumulator below said inlet header, a downcomer communicating with said accumulator below said baflle and above said outlet header, and a conduitto deliver refrigerating liquid to said downcomer.

9. In a refrigerating system, an accumulator, an inlet header, an outlet header disposed substantially above said inlet header, said headers and accumulator being in free communication, anda plurality of refrigerating coils connected to said headers, each of said coils being of relatively large internal diameter and being of U-shape, whereby a free and substantially unobstructed circulation will be caused by the difference in specific gravity be tween the mixed liquidand gas in the refrigerating coils and the liquid in the accumulator, said circulation being continuous through the coils, outlet header, accumulator, inlet header, and back through the coils.

10. In a refrigerating system, an accumulator, an inlet header, an outlet header disposed at'a level above said' inlet header, said header and accumulator beinginfree communication, a plurality of refrigerating coils 'of large internal diameter and short length connecting said headers, and a brine tank containing said header and coils, said accumulator being located outside said brine tank. so that it is not heated by the brine; said coils, header and accumulator being adapted to have .1; head of refrigerating liquid therein so that a free circulation of liquid refrigerant is provoked bythe difference in specific gravity by the refrigerating medium in the accumulator and the refrigerating medium in the said coils.

11. In a refrigerating system, a vertical accumulator having horizontal inlet and outlet headers secured thereto with the latter a above the former and in free communication therewith through the accumulator, a ba'file plate substantially partitioning said accumulator below said inlet header whereby to form a chamber of quiescence for incoming refrigerant liquid, a conduit for incoming liquid refrigerant open to said accumulator below said baflie, and-refrigerating coils connecting said inlet and outlet headers, Win"! by a liquid level of refrigerant may be estab lished in said accumulator and coils and 1r. said outlet header whereby the lesser specific gravity of the gas and liquid refrigerant in said coils will establish a free circulation of liquid refrigerant through the coils, headers and accumulator, and whereby the incoming liquid refrigerant to replace the evaporated refrigerant in said circulation is maintained in said chamber of quiescence whereby the oil contained therein is separated, and the liquid refrigerant itself alone enters into the circulation. 1

12. In a refrigerating system, a vertical acv cumulator having horizontal inlet and outlet headers secured thereto with the latter above the former, refrigerating coils establishing free communication between said inlet and outlet headers, an admission conduit for liquid refrigerant including a cooling at the bottom of the outlet header and-a discharge opening into said accumulator near the bottom thereof, a baffle plate substantially partitioning said accumulator between said inlet header and said discharge, and-means pipe for removing gaseous refrigerant from theincoming'liquid refrigerant before it enters the lower chamber in said accumulator defined by said baflleplate.

13. The method of operating refrigerating system which comprises providing a cirv culation' for liquid refrigerant upwardly through-coils in thebrine tankand down- 1 -wardly through an accumulator, separating .the gaseous from the liquid refrigerant'in said accumulator whereby the head in' said accumulator comprises substantially gaseous refrigerant, and causing the differencein specific gravity b'etween'said liquid refrigerant in theaccumulator and the mixed gases and refrigerant in said coils to provoke a continuous circulation through the system.

14. In a refrigerating system, a vertical accumulator having horizontal inlet and out-- let headers secured thereto with-the latter above the former, refrigerating coils establishing free communication between said inlet and outlet headers, means to admit incoming liquid refrigerant to the bottom of said accumulator, and a cooling condult for sa d incoming-liquid refrigerant in the bottom of said outlet header, said outlet header and accumulator being adapted to have a liquid level of refrigerant established intermedlate the height of said outlet header whereby acontinuous circulation of liquid refrigerant may occur through said coils, headersan'd accumulator.

15. The art of refrigeratinga containerwhich comprises establishinga circuit of a liquefied refrigerant medium through a low pressure system having ascending and descending le s, of which the ascending leg is located in the container, causing the heat of the contents of the container to evaporate a part of said liquefied refrigerant in said ascend leg and thereby decrease the specific gravi y of the refrigerant in said ascending leg, emplcying the difference in specific gravities of the refrigerant in the ascending and descending legs to provoke a circulation of said liquefied refrigerant as such through therewith and through which refrigerant.

can return to said accumulator, a refrigerating'coil connected to said header to deliver refrigerant thereto, said accumulator and header being adapted to have a liquid level of refrigerantmaintained in said header, a

cooling pipe located in said header below said maintained liquid level, means to deliver condensed refrigerant to said cooling pipes, an expansion valve connected to the top end of said cooling pipe, and a conduit leading from said expansion valve into said accumulator. v

18. In a refrigerating system as in claim 17, in-Which said conduit has openings into said accumulator above and below the maintained liquid level therein, so that incoming gas and liquid refrigerant may respectively be delivered above and below said liquid level. a

19. In a refrigerating system, an accumulator having horizontal inlet and outlet headers secured thereto and in free communication therewith, a refrigerating coil establishing communication between said inlet and refrigerant located in said outlet header be 1 low the maintained liquidlevel, and an expansion valve and conduit connecting the discharge end of said cooling pipe with said accumulator.

20. In a refrigerating system as in claim 19, in which the cooling pipe-ends are located outside of the header walls and the one end of said conduit is located outside the wall of said accumulator, so that the expansionjvalve is located outside the header and aecumulator for access and adjustment.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

NORMAN H. GAY. 

